At least a thousand motor cab and tricycle drivers started Wednesday their 10-day Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para Sa Ating Disadvantaged Displaced Workers cash-for-work under the Department of Labor and Employment.

An initial of 400 drivers joined the first batch of TUPAD recipients Tuesday after their leaders from the city’s Skylab and Tricycle Federation signed a contract with DOLE and the local Public Employment Services Office (PESO).

Herminia Infanta, the city’s PESO head, said the recipients are regular motor cab and tricycle drivers here who are among the sectors heavily affected by the economic crisis brought by the pandemic.

“They are now tasked to join the community clean-up drive which intends to eradicate common diseases such as dengue during this season,” she said.

She said the drivers are assigned to clean drainage clogging, roadsides, and other public conveyances.

The recipient-members of the confederated drivers group include the Kidapawan-Magpet-M’lang -Makilala Skylab Operators Drivers Association, Inc. (KIMMMSODAI) Federation; and the Federation of Kidapawan Integrated Tricycle Association (FKITA).

Jabby Omandac, the FKITA president, lauded the initiative of the city government to help uplift the lives of his fellow drivers. (PNA)